Anti-Bullying Day

Anti-Bullying Day is a day when people wear a pink, blue or purple shirt to symbolise a stand against bullying, an idea that originated in Canada. It is celebrated on various dates around the world. In 2012, the United Nations declared the official day to be May 4, (therefore some countries prefere to celebrate it on the 28/29 February), which was recognised by many countries worldwide, including Australia, France, Lebanon, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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The original event was organized by David Shepherd and Travis Price of Berwick, Nova Scotia, who in 2007 bought and distributed 50 pink shirts after male ninth grade student Jadrien Cota was bullied for wearing a pink shirt during the first day of school.[1] In Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia PremierRodney MacDonald proclaimed the second Thursday of September "Stand Up Against Bullying Day" in recognition of these events.[2]

In 2008, the then Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell proclaimed February 27 to be the provincial anti-bullying day.[3] It was then celebrated on February 25 in 2009. In 2009, Boys and Girls Clubs worked on pink T-shirts that say "Bullying Stops Here." and "Pink Shirt Day" for Anti-Bullying Day.[4]

In 2012, The United Nations took a stand in the Anti-Bullying campaign and declared May 4 as Anti-Bullying Day.[5]

Anti-Bullying Day was instituted to prevent further bullying. The United States Department of Justice showed that one out of four kids will be bullied during their adolescence.[6] Most of the time it continues after the first incident; statistics show that 71 percent of students that are bullied, keep being bullied making it a problem with no end. According to the Yale School of Medicine, a study in 2010 discovered a connection between being bullied and suicide. The term to describe this is “Bullycide” where someone who is bullied commits suicide as a result. Suicide rates continue to grow among children and adolescents more than 50 percent in the last 30 years.[7]Vince

Anti-bullying Day activities can take place at schools, workplaces, or any acceptable[by whom?] location. They may include: "abolishing bullying" rallies, information and networking booths to help the community in understanding the evils of bullying, and publicizing anti-discrimination organizations. Examples include Tune it Out,[8] Blue Shirt World Day of Bullying Prevention, National Bullying awareness month, as well as Pink Shirt Day. Other features include handouts, resources, and information promoting the message of the "National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence". Examples of other activities include races, conferences, video-creating competitions such as the "ScreenIt!" and the "Back me up" competitions, and community events - all used to spread awareness of bullying and violence.

Compare traditions of the inversion of social roles such as the Feast of Fools.